Olive Branch burglar may strike while homeowners do yard work

2012-07-24T01:37:17Z2017-01-13T16:51:29Z

OLIVE BRANCH, MS - (WMC-TV) – Manicured lawns line Meadow Lane in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Yard work is not only a necessity for many residents. It's a hobby for people like the victim of a recent burglary.

"Never thought about locking my back door," she said. "But I do now."

The woman did not want to be identified. Her home was burglarized one day last week while she was out in the yard.

"Someone had come inside my back door while I was out front cutting the grass," she said. "And stole my wallet, my digital camera, and my cell phone."

She said she never expected a crime like this to occur while she was so close to home.

"I think it's someone who walks down the street and maybe notices who is in their yard working," the woman said.

A neighbor told police a man was walking the street asking people about a lost dog. The victim believes he may have been the burglar.

"Nothing like that to my knowledge has happened around here," said neighbor Sandy French.

Franch admitted she takes her family's safety for granted. But the thought of someone possibly casing houses even when people are home was a wake-up call.

"We didn't worry about things like that," said French. "But now I guess I have to. Even in Olive Branch, and that's a shame."

"It's ridiculous," said the burglary victim.

There's only a vague description of the possible suspect. Police suggest you always lock your doors. That includes when you may be out mowing the lawn.